Community support for the giant garage sale and hot dog barbecue taking place today for little Chase Lamont has been overwhelming, says Chase’s aunt and event co-ordinator Erin Stangoe.
“It was very heartwarming to see all of the donations come in,” Erin said. “Some of the items donated are brand new.”
She said donations were coming in right up until 8 p.m. Friday evening.
Volunteers worked until about 2 a.m. this morning setting up the donations on about 50 tables inside the Cariboo Steel and Machine shop and were up again at 6:30 a.m. to start moving the tables outside to the parking lot on Mackenzie Avenue for the sale. People were lined up for the sale which started at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. today, June 17.
As we talked Cheryl Pope and her daughter Brianna, 9, handed Erin a $50 bill for the small box of treasures she collected at the sale, demonstrating the generosity of people coming to the garage sale to support Chase, who is recovering from a stroke he suffered last summer and needs equipment and treatment during his recovery.
“I read the story and I think it is a good cause to support,” Pope said.
Stephen Almond, Chase’s grandfather came up from 100 Mile House to help with the sale and was amazed to see so many donations and people coming to support the event.
“The community has been just incredible,” Almond said. “We came up from 100 Mile House this morning and were just overwhelmed by the generosity of everybody in the community. Its just been really fantastic.”
“Part of the great thing about this is that all of this stuff is getting reused. It’s going for a great cause too.”
Cariboo Steel and Machine Ltd. owners Jason Rowley and Jeremy Stangoe, Chase’s uncle, were there helping out and happy to see such an outpouring of community support.
The garage sale runs until 3 p.m. today, June 17. It is well worth a visit with all kinds of interesting items for sale from kitchen and glass wear to clothing, to tires for an ATV, to baby strollers, recliner, comforters, purses, furniture, and more.